Sports

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight draws record betting

LAS VEGAS –

Jake Paul’s victory over former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson may not have been the most competitive fight, but it certainly captured the attention of bettors around the world.

According to BetMGM, the fight between the YouTube sensation and the 58-year-old Tyson, who appeared slower and less agile than in his prime, generated record-breaking betting action. The sportsbook reported three times the number of bets and four times the amount of money wagered compared to any other boxing or mixed-martial arts event in its history.

Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, likened the betting frenzy surrounding the Paul-Tyson bout to that of a high-profile NFL Monday night game.

“We anticipated a high level of interest in this fight, given the unique matchup and the demographics of the fans,” Mucklow stated. “Those who remember Mike Tyson in his prime were drawn to the nostalgia of seeing him in the ring once again, while a younger generation unfamiliar with Tyson’s legacy rallied behind Jake Paul.”

While it’s difficult to directly compare the betting action on this fight to historic boxing matches, given the evolution of sports betting since the legalization of gambling in many states in 2018, the Paul-Tyson bout still attracted a significant amount of wagering activity.

At BetMGM Sportsbook, most of the bets placed were on proposition wagers, with the majority backing Tyson to win by knockout, decision, or a first-round KO.

Despite Paul being the favorite at -175, a surprising 67 percent of the tickets and 53 percent of the money wagered at BetMGM were on Tyson.

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“Ultimately, Paul’s victory was a favorable outcome for the sportsbook,” noted BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella.

The overwhelming betting interest in the Paul-Tyson fight highlights the growing popularity of combat sports betting and the excitement generated by unique matchups that transcend traditional boxing rivalries.

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